Bactrim and Dizziness: What Users Say

• Vga...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 18, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "Had not read side effects, so did not realize what I felt was caused by the med. My first day on Bactrim, I had side effects of feeling achy and depressed. By day 3, I was shaking, shivering, anxious, and insomnia. By day 5, nausea, dizziness, 100 heart rate, very low blood pressure, extreme anxiety. Pain everywhere, pain in my kidneys, very dehydrated, painful muscle spasms. Day 6, was going to go to the emergency room when I realized it could be the Bactrim and read side effects. Find it difficult to believe a doctor would give this to anyone. It was horrible."

• Ril...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 13, 2021

For Bacterial Infection "I had a breast infection and was prescribed this terrible medicine. It needs to be off the market. I felt real bad the second day taking it. It caused a fever, rash, headache, sharp pains throughout my body, no appetite, shakiness, dizziness, and numbness. I felt so out of it, it scared me so bad I stopped taking it. The Bactrim medicine is too strong. I definitely wouldn’t recommend!"

• Kel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 4, 2020

For Bacterial Skin Infection "I was prescribed Bactrim for a 10-day course to treat a Staph infection in my skin. I had no issues other than fatigue for the first 6 days, but by day 7, I woke up feeling dizzy and so tired. I kept pushing on, taking the tablets because it was working to clear boils. By days 8-9, I had a rash over my body. I felt so lightheaded. Even lying down, my body ached as if I had the flu."

• Sar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 30, 2015

For Kidney Infections "Really effective, but really terrible side effects. UTI and kidney infection both cleared up quickly, which I'm grateful for, and ultimately that's the point. But I had nausea and vomiting, dizziness, diarrhea, joint aches, itchy skin, sore throat, loss of appetite... I felt way better with the infection than I did on the medication. But it's all temporary."

• Bri...
• March 21, 2017

For Urinary Tract Infection "The ONLY side effect I had from this medicine so far is very slight fatigue right after I take it. Had a pretty bad UTI, took the first dose (2 a day every 12 hours), and within a short amount of time there was no more burning, fullness feeling, or pain. I take this for 10 days and I am on day 7. And no dizziness, nausea, vomiting, or anything. Don't be afraid to take this medicine BUT! EAT BEFORE YOU TAKE IT!! Like a full meal! I think many people aren't doing this, and you should."

• All...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 29, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "Never again. It has been only 2 days. I'm already dizzy, fatigued, anxiety-ridden, and it's 2 a.m., and my heart won't stop racing! I've had the jitters all day and very unpleasant heart palpitations that feel like my heart is going to explode. Also, I can't sleep."

• Jam...
• May 2, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "I took Bactrim twice a day for 10 days. After completing the script, all the side effects started: dizziness, confusion, cramps in legs, swelling of glands-one on the back of my head, two in my throat, my thyroid swollen too. These are just the glands I can see. I also have problems urinating, burning from the kidneys down. It's been 7 days since my last dose, I'm still having side effects. When will this be over? I wish I had never taken this medication."

• Suz...
• September 15, 2020

For Urinary Tract Infection "I went to urgent care for unbearable pain from a UTI, and they put me on Bactrim. This made me feel awful. Lots of anxiety and panic attacks, and constantly feeling dizzy like the room was spinning and like I was going to fall down and pass out. Felt very shaky on day 5. Also experienced neck pain and pain in my lower back. Also experienced headaches. It cleared up the UTI but had horrible side effects. I’m someone who also has neurological Lyme disease, so the left side of my jaw just goes into spasm when I have a flare-up, which is another painful condition I live with, and I’ve taken many other antibiotics for Lyme and for sinus issues, but I’ve never experienced symptoms like this."

• Dan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 16, 2020

For Kidney Infections "I was prescribed this after having kidney surgery. I took one pill and felt fine. But the next day, I took a second dose, and within an hour, I had the worst vertigo that I have ever experienced. Everything was spinning. Even when I lay down, if I moved even a little, I felt like the pillow was falling. It's been 24 hours, the vertigo passed, but I am very tired and have a headache."

• jro...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 22, 2018

For Urinary Tract Infection "Never again! I was put on this for 3 days-2 pills a day for a UTI. I was laid up in bed for 4 days. I was extremely nauseous, chills, sweats, headache, dizzy, couldn’t eat a single thing, and after day 2, I got a SEVERE yeast infection. The pain was unlike anything that has ever happened to me. I took 2 trips to the doctor and over a week to feel somewhat normal again down there. This was way too strong and unnecessary for a simple UTI infection. Never will I ever take this again. I wish I could give it a zero, I am still having nightmares about this drug."

• Joe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 28, 2016

For Urinary Tract Infection "Started taking Cipro for a bladder infection but had some bad side effects in the tendon in my right hand. Went back to the Dr. and he gave me Bactrim (Septra). I took it for 3 days in total before I had to stop. The symptoms literally made me feel like I was dying. I had a really foggy head, headaches, dizziness, I almost passed out one day. I got zero sleep the whole time I was on it. My joints hurt in the night, my skin got really itchy and developed a rash, I also developed extreme anxiety and I felt like I was having a heart attack with the palpitations. I was close to panic attack, that's when I said enough is enough. I've never had a reaction like that and I have trouble remembering those days. It was a blur of pain and confusion."

• Anonymous
• February 17, 2012

For Bacterial Skin Infection "I stepped on a rusty nail and had a lot of pain, and my foot started to swell. I started taking Bactrim, and the pain went away within the first two pills, which was 24 hours. The only problem is that I can't function with the nausea, dizziness, loss of appetite, and headache. I think it's because of a sensitive stomach."

• Pic...
• August 8, 2011

For Bacterial Skin Infection "I have been prescribed Bactrim for a skin infection in the form of 2 boils, 1 on my arm and 1 on my leg. I have been prescribed Bactrim 800/160 2x per day for 10 days. I started feeling horrible after the first dose. Extreme dizziness, stomach issues, headache by day 3, feeling dehydrated with weakness and joint pain and jaw pain, loss of appetite, insomnia. I am on day 5 and the dizziness is really bad, I had to miss work. I only took half a dose this morning and am considering stopping. Thinking I may be allergic to the sulfonamide as my grandmother is allergic, and this is the first time I have ever taken this. Glad to see others have had a good experience."

• myu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 15, 2016

For Urinary Tract Infection "Never again, first 10 days Macrobid. Still had infection. Put me on Bactrim. I was so sick after day 5. I missed 7 days of work, I think 10 days was too much. Had loose poop, nausea every day, dizzy, lost 7 lbs in 7 days, and the worst was the dry eyes and mouth. I felt like poo. I thought I would end up in the hospital. It even made me depressed! Never again!"

• Uns...
• June 22, 2015

For Bacterial Infection "Was prescribed this almost 2 years ago for a skin infection but quit taking it after 3 days because of severe anxiety, indigestion, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, and who knows what else. At the time, I was dealing with panic attacks, so when my current doctor prescribed it last week, I decided, since I was feeling better, to give it one last effort. Days 1-2 were good. Skin was clearing, and other than being tired, I had no side effects. By day 3, I got a headache that was relentless, I was shaky, couldn't sleep at night but couldn't stay awake during the day, diarrhea started, and I quit the medicine at my doctor's advice. It's been over 48 hours since my last dose, and I still feel like crap. My neck hurts, and I'm still feeling incredibly anxious."

• Dan...
• September 15, 2019

For Bacterial Skin Infection "I had an ingrown toenail, so my podiatrist removed it and put me on cephalexin for a week. After taking all of them, my toe was still infected. She put me on Bactrim to be taken twice a day for 10 days. Twenty-four hours after my first dose, my mood completely changed. I was depressed and miserable. Day 2, I was spinning, it was impossible to function for daily tasks, and I had no appetite. Day 3, I had a full-blown panic attack, then extreme anxiety, and following that, several heart palpitations. Day 6, I had a rash across my midsection. I stopped taking them that day and called my podiatrist, as my toe still wasn't getting better. She advised I stop and see her later on that day. She wound up removing another piece of nail that had been left behind. When I told her all of the symptoms, she said that I'm allergic. As a person who suffers from food allergies, this terrified me. After a week, the nausea, headache, and spinning started to lighten up, but it took around two months to get back to my normal routine. And to think... these symptoms are NORMAL for this medication."

• Pop...
• February 21, 2016

For Sinusitis "Taking 2 pills twice a day every day. Something new for a side effect, great way to lose weight. Don't feel like eating at all, all I do is keep myself hydrated with fluids to thin the phlegm so I can cough it loose and get the rest out of my system. Can't wait till I can stop taking it. Also think it's shredding my red blood cells, feel tired and sometimes dizzy and weak."

• Bea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 1, 2020

For Urinary Tract Infection "I took Bactrim 500 mg tablets twice a day for 4 days and felt fine. Day 5... not so much. I got extremely dizzy and super anxious about literally nothing. Don't tell my doctor, but I'm done taking them. Ha. Not really worth it. I only have 1.5 days left, so maybe I'll take it right before bed, but we'll see..... I'm not giving it one star because my symptoms did improve."

• Hal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 14, 2021

For Urinary Tract Infection "I was prescribed this medication for a UTI. After 1 pill, I woke up feeling nauseous, nonstop vomiting, bloating, diarrhea, headaches, insomnia, dizziness, weakness, loss of appetite, fever, chills. I am currently on day 3 and will not be taking this anymore. I have zero improvements, which is to be expected after only 3 days. I was told to take 2 pills daily for 10 days. I can’t take the extreme side effects, and I don’t see why a doctor would prescribe this, with this many horrible side effects. I thought I had a stomach bug or food poisoning until I decided to look up the side effects and realized it’s the medicine. My kind was 800/160MG TB. I don’t recommend."

• jai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 19, 2022

For Urinary Tract Infection "I have 1 more day left of this medicine. I was told to take 10 days. No way can handle it. I've been getting sweating, bad stomach pain, stomach upsets, dizziness, little appetite. To make it worse, I don't think it's working!"

• Nor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 2, 2020

For Urinary Tract Infection "I often suffer from UTI. And Bactrim Forte is the antibiotic that I usually use to treat them. The only side effect that I have noticed is headache, with a little nausea and dizziness. I also take Ultra Levure with antibiotics to avoid a yeast infection."

• Mel...
• December 12, 2016

For Urinary Tract Infection "I'm on day 2 of treating a urinary tract infection. I have been trying my best not to puke. I'm so nauseous, tired, and dizzy. I've had an irritation from my UTI, it hasn't cleared up yet, so I will have to see what the rest of the week brings. I've never had problems with antibiotics before."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 25, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "I'm on day 5 of Bactrim, and it sure is hard work. I don't know what makes up Bactrim, but its side effects remind me of an opiate! I am 18 and go to the gym every day, and I cannot work out properly anymore. I'm so dizzy and tired, I also have this weird mind fog. I did 7 miles on the bike at the gym today, and boy, did that take a lot out of me. This medication really sucks. I recommend drinking lots and lots of water."

• hop...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 19, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "I was prescribed Bactrim for 5 days for UTI and did not feel any relief until day 4. But from day 2, I had side effects like burning pain of the scalp with the slightest touch and dizziness with fast head movements. From day 4 on, I had a fever with chills. Then, a couple of hours after the last dose on day 5, I developed a skin rash of red dots all over my torso, arms, and face, the dots grew larger and also spread to my legs and feet by the end of the night. I had to take prednisone and antihistamine to control the rash and take another antibiotic to treat my UTI that Bactrim only partially treated."

• Lou...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 27, 2022

For Urinary Tract Infection "I've been taking Bactrim since Friday, it's now Sunday. My doctor told me it's a urinary tract infection, but the only symptoms I'm having are the urge to pee with little urine. Vaginal itching that comes and goes with discharge. I'm ready to stop the medicine, but I know I can't. I've missed two doses because the side effects are me feeling dizzy, feeling nauseous, a bad headache, and loss of appetite. I don't know what to do. I feel like if I stop taking it for a possible UTI, it won't go away. But I don't feel it's a UTI 'cause I'm not having burning when I pee, only after I pee, I have an itchy feeling that I want to scratch with tissue, but I know I can't do that either. I really need help, and I hope someone sees this who can give me honest answers. I've been to the health unit and two hospitals, they've all given different results."